Apparatus for straightening crank-shaft journals



(No Model.)

J. H. THOMAS.

APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHT'ENI'NG GRANK'SHAFT JOURNALS; No. 317,593. Patented May 12, 1885.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. THOMAS, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING CRANK-SHAFT JOURNALS.

EBZ ECIFECATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,593, dated May 12, 1885.

Application filed May 31, 1884.

journal or shaft portions of a crank-shaft,

whether said shaft be made in a single piece with several cranks or in sections each having one or more cranks; and it consists in the combination, with a base plate or holder having suitable receptacles arranged in line for the journal or shaft portions of the crank-shaft,

of suitable clamps for clamping said journal portions in said receptacles while the iron is heated, and thereby straightening them into line and insuring their easy and proper working when in use.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of my improved device or apparatus sufficient to illustrate the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 represents a transverse section through one of the shaft holders or clamps, and Figs. 4 and 5 represent modifications in the form of the clamping devices used.

A represents a bed plate or block provided at uniform distances apart in its length with projections A A, sufficient in number to accommodate all the journal or shaft portions of the crank-shaft O, or of the several sections thereof to be operated upon, together with intervening spaces or depressions at A to accommodate the cranks on said shaft.

The projections A are by preference made tapering, or with converging sides, as giving greater strength, while at the same time accommodating the cranks, usually made of corresponding form, between them, and are provided each with a longitudinal groove, a, semicircular in form in transverse section, and of a diameter conforming to that of the journal or shaft portions of the crank-shaft to be operated upon. Upon the sides of each of the projections A are formed or otherwise se- (No model.)

cured straps or ears a a arranged centrally of the width (lengthwise of the bed-plate) of the projections, and projecting beyond the latter, the projecting ends being slotted to receive a wedge, d, for clamping grooved blocks B to the projections A over the journal portions of the shaft resting thereon.

The blocks 13, like the projections A, have semicircular grooves formed in them, matching the portions of the shaft to be clamped be tween them and the projections A, and the grooves in the latter being arranged in line, it will be apparent that if a crank-shaftfafter the several cranks have been formed thereon by any usual or preferred process or meanssuch, for example, as those described in another application of even date herewith-and while heated be placed in the bed-plate with the journals or shaft portions between the cranks restingin the grooves in the projections A, and firmly clamped therein by means of the grooved blocks and wedges, as described and shown, said journal or shaft portions of the crank-shaft will be straightened and brought into line with each other, andif allowed to remain in the clamps until cool will maintain such relation to each other after they are removed, thereby insuring their proper and easy working in their bearings when applied and in use.

The means for clamping the grooved blocks B to the shaft and grooved projections A may of course be varied. Thus, in Fig. 4., I have shown in lieu of the transversewedge a lever, D, pivoted in one of the slotted straps a, the other strap or ear a being bifurcated to allow the movement of the lever, which may be held by means of a wedge passing through slots in or loop-brackets on the arms of said bifurcated strap or ear, as shown, or said blocks may be clamped in place by means of cams or eccentrics pivoted to the side strap, a,

and actuated by a lever, as shown in Fig. 5.

Having now described my invention. what I claim as new is- 1. In an apparatus for straightening or bringing into line the journal or shaft portions of a crank-shaft, a base or bed plate provided with suitable receptacles arranged in line for the journal portions of said shaft, in

combination with clamps for clamping and a crank-shaft, of a base or bed plate havingstraightening into line said journal portions suitable receptacles for said portions, grooved in said receptacles, substantially as described. blocks for clamping said portions in said re- 15 2. In an apparatus for straightening into ceptacles, and means for causing said blocks to 5 line the journal portions of a crank-shaft, a clamp and straighten said shaft portions in base-plate provided with two or more uprights said receptacles, substantially as described.

having seats or grooves for the journal por- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set tions of the shaft and arranged to acconiinomy hand this 28th day of May, A. D. 1884. date the crank portions of the shaft between J. H. THOMAS. 1o them, substantially as described. Witnesses:

3. The combination, in an apparatus for H. B. ZEVELY,

straightening the journal or shaft portions of REX. M. SMITH. 

